Heaters get really small

Ultramic 600 advanced ceramic heaters are available in smaller sizes, a few millimeters width and several centimeters long. The high-thermal conductivity aluminum nitride ceramic composition is paired with a proprietary, thermally matched, heating element for a fast responding heater in a low-mass package. A leakage current of less than 10 µA makes the device easier for medical devices to pass the 500 µA, IEC 60601, total system requirement the first time.

Watlow Inc, 12001 Lackland Rd., St. Louis, MO 63146, (314) 878-4600, www.info.hotims.com/18364-256

Linear motor X-Y base resolves to 2.5 µm

The HoneyComb Series of linear stepper X-Y positioning bases comes in seven sizes with square or rectangular working areas ranging from 375 × 375 mm to 750 × 1,500 mm. The base's moving element, the forcer, is capable of move speeds to 1.5 m/sec at resolutions to 2.5 µm with a repeatability of better than 2 µm. The forcer floats on an air bearing and uses two linear stepper motors mounted at right angles to provide X and Y directional thrust. The bases offer medical applications friction-free motion with zero-backlash, and no wind-up. The maximum static holding force is up to 134 N. Prices start at $7,000.

Baldor Electric Co, Box 2400, Fort Smith, AR 72901, (479) 646-4711, www.info.hotims.com/18364-257

Transformers for portable medical devices

Model 4283-1250 Series high-voltage transformers drive high impedance loads requiring up to 2,500 Vdc. The application-specific units can be custom configured for portable medical devices such as defibrillators. A center-tapped secondary for the 4283-1250 Series creates positive and negative outputs. This would drive a full wave bridge rectifier, ground in the center, positive on one side, negative on the other. Or it could be used as a half-wave output providing either a positive or negative voltage.

Datatronics Romoland Inc, Box 1579, Romoland, Calif., 92585, (909) 928-7700, www.info.hotims.com/18364-258

Motors for matching motor-to-load inertia

MCG ID series brush-commutated dc servo motors with higher inertia armatures provide motor-to-load inertia matching capability for medium- to high-reflected load inertias. Two frame sizes (NEMA 23 and NEMA 34) power equipment for applications that include medical, packaging, printing and labeling, factory automation and robotics, machine tools, and material handling. Depending on model, standard motors in the ID23000 and ID33000 series can generate continuous torque from 0.212 Nm (1.88 lb-in) to 1.59 Nm (14 lb-in), rated power ranges from 0.12 hp to 0.60 hp, and speeds to 6,000 rpm.

Ametek Technical & Industrial Products, 627 Lake Street, Kent, OH 44240, (330) 673-3452, www.info.hotims.com/18364-259

Combination display and controller

The DS-3000 four-channel display includes controller functions. A user can connect up to four iLoad series load cells and view individual or total loads or both in three different units: kilograms, pounds, and newtons. A user can also interface by USB uplink to plot and chart data to a PC. Optional relay outputs let users activate relays based on load limits to control up to two external devices.

Loadstar Sensors, Inc., 453 Ravendale Drive, Suite F, Mountain View, CA 94043, 510-623-9600, www.info.hotims.com/18364-260

Moldable, extrudable rubber

MED-4714 high-consistency rubber (HCR) is a soft, pliable silicone elastomer capable of curing into a moldable component. It is designed for transfer or compression molding and extrusion. In addition, the product cures with heat without the release of volatile byproducts or peroxide residues and does not require a post cure, common to other silicone HCRs.

Nusil Technology LLC, 1050 Cindy Lane, Carpinteria, CA 93013, 805-684-8780, www.info.hotims.com/18364-261

Cartridge removes alkaline phosphatase

The BioPak C disposable ultrafiltration cartridge is an in-line filter that minimizes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a compound released by bacteria that may be present in immunoassay and clinical analyzer feed water used to prepare buffers, make blanks, and rinse tubing and probes. When attached to analyze feed-water purification and clinical-water-purification systems as a final purification step, the BioPak C filter delivers ALP-free water with bacteria levels lower than 10 cfu/mlL (typically < 1 cfu/ml).

Millipore Corporation, 290 Concord Rd., Billerica, MA 01821, (978) 715-4321, www.info.hotims.com/18364-262

Configurable PDFs for board-level shielding

Configurable drawings in PDF are available for single and two piece, board-level shields for download from the developer's website. The user first chooses through-hole mounting with pins or standard surface mounting. Depending on this choice, seam options and required dimensions come next. Users then select a metal and finish. When needed, users describe vents or access holes or slots. Etched part numbers or logos can be added for free. The company manufactures standard and custom board-level shielding using photo chemical etching which allows wide design flexibility.

Tech-Etch Inc, 45 Aldrin Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360, (508) 747-0300, www.info.hotims.com/18364-263

Brushless dc motors up to 500W

A line of high-efficiency brushless dc motors is well suited to medical, packaging, and material-handling applications. The motors come in 15 to 65-mm ODs, 1 to 500 W, 3-phase delta winding construction with three internal hall sensors. The motors offer a higher performance-to--size ratio and improved efficiency over previous models. These motors work well in restricted areas, such as those sensitive to interference and with battery-powered equipment. Options include various magnet materials, air and internally fan cooled options, as well as gearboxes, encoders, and brakes.

NMB Technologies Corp., 9730 Independence Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311, (818) 341-3355, www.info.hotims.com/18364-264

Molten zinc alloy works as an adhesive

A special injected metal assembly (IMA) method reduces costs as it improves quality, performance, and productivity. The company replaces medical assembly joining operations such as welding, soldering, press fitting, crimping, and the like, with a molten zinc alloy as an adhesive but without the peeling and thermal degradation issues of traditional methods. IMA has good stress-distribution properties and performs well in harsh environments. Molten zinc alloy cures in milliseconds, ensuring close tolerances and part-to-part consistency over large volumes.

FisherTech, 710 Neal Dr., Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 6X7, (705) 748-9522, www.info.hotims.com/18364-265

Waveplates surpass quartz or mica

Sapphire waveplates are for mission-critical visible and IR polarization control components. They feature 0.25 µm to 4.7 µm transmission, which is > 98% when AR coated on both sides. The waveplaines have a Moh 9 hardness and chemical resistance superior to quartz or mica. The waveplates are custom manufactured in sizes from 10 to 30 mm in “A” or “M” plane configurations.

Meller Optics, Inc., 120 Corliss St. / Box 6001, Providence, RI 02940, (800) 821-0180, www.info.hotims.com/18364-266

These encoders work in vacuum

A line of linear encoders is intended for work in high vacuums. Two models are for high vacuum to 10^-7 mbar and another is for ultrahigh vacuum up to 10^-11 mbar. Features include vacuum-compatible PCBs, adhesives and paints that reduce outgassing, and vented hollow spaces reduce pump times. In addition, temperature resistance permits high bake-out temperatures, and units are manufactured without ferromagnetic materials to increases process reliability. All encoders include a glass scale, a scanning head, and the interface electronics requiring signal conversion to 1 Vpp.

Heidenhain Corp, 333 E. State Parkway, Schaumburg, IL 60173, (847) 490-1191, www.info.hotims.com/18364-267

Adhesive cures with UV or LED light

Dymax MD 1000 series medical-device adhesives make possible high-speed, high volume bonding of medical-device housings, tube sets, catheters, enclosures, and housings. These solvent-free adhesives replace ultrasonic welding and costly two-part products. They are USP Class VI and ISO 10993 certified, moisture and humidity resistant, leave no residue, and are available in gap-filling viscosities. The adhesives cure with UV and visible light-emitting lamps. The BlueWave LED visible light, high-intensity spot curing system has advantages over traditional UV-spot curing such as no bulbs to change, cool cures, instant-on, and constant intensity for thousands of hours.

Dymax Corp., 318 Industrial Lane, Torrington, CT 06790 (860) 482-1010, www.info.hotims.com/18364-268

Triage for device complaints

TrackWise software allows logging complaints using intuitive forms, which prompt call-center reps to enter required product, patient, and event information. Questions on the form deal with the product type and complaint category, ensuring that customer service reps ask for and document necessary information. Complaints can be created from an event triggered in a feeder system. A rules engine determines appropriate steps for the complaint based on company procedures. Responsible parties are notified and work processes can quickly begin. The software tracks product returns, generates response letters, and supports bar-code-label printing for return packages. The software then creates investigation tasks and assigns them to local manufacture sites based on product information, problem type, and other complaint criteria. Local investigators access their assignments from dashboards while complaint groups monitor progress. The systems' workflow ensures processing through root-cause analysis steps, while its 24/7 business rules engine escalates items that are significant or that fall behind schedule.

Sparta Systems Inc, Holmdel Corporate Plaza, 2137 Hwy 35, Holmdel, NJ 07733, (732) 203-0400, www.info.hotims.com/18364-269

Industry guide for medical diagnostic and implants

A free industry guide has designs ideas on how to save weight and space when designers build proven heater, flex circuit, and temperature sensors into medical diagnostic and implantable-device components. These devices can improve In Vitro diagnostics, In Vivo diagnostics, patient-monitoring systems, and more. The guide highlights, for example, how flex circuits in a urological probe locate nerves so they can be avoided during prostate surgery, and how flexible heaters warm fluid samples and keep them at a constant temperature.

Minco Inc., 7300 Commerce Lane, Minneapolis, MN 55432, (763) 571-3121, www.info.hotims.com/18364-270

Computer-on-module for embedded applications

ETXexpress-PC computer-on-module is for data processing and multimedia conversion and output. The module outperforms the previous 65nm dual-core processor with faster core speeds (up to 2.26 GHz), more L2 cache (6 MB) and a faster FSB (1,066 MHz), but without a comparable increase in energy consumption. The technology is based on the 45nm Intel Core 2 Duo processor SP9300 and Intel GS45 chipset.

Kontron America Inc., 14118 Stowe Dr., Poway, CA 92064, (888) 294-4558, www.info.hotims.com/18364-271